Mahira is a highly accomplished criminal lawyer who achieved remarkable academic success at a very young age. She belongs to a wealthy aristocratic family; her father serves as a respected judge in the civil court. Despite her privileged upbringing, her life is anything but easy. Being a high-profile lawyer and the daughter of a judge means constant responsibility, scrutiny, and relentless challenges.
A week-long trekking trip unexpectedly brought a refreshing change to her disciplined life. Over seven adventurous days in the mountains, everyone laughed, explored, and created unforgettable memories. On the final night, they gathered around a glowing bonfire, singing songs together, dancing under the open sky, and cherishing the fleeting moments of freedom.
During that trip, Mahira formed a new friendship—something she had never anticipated. The connection was effortless, unplanned, and quietly special.
The week passed far too quickly. On the eighth morning, everyone departed for their respective homes. While most left in their own cars, Mahira had planned her return by bus. She left early in the morning and reached home by evening, exhausted from the journey. The moment she arrived, she freshened up and fell into a deep sleep. Her parents, understanding how tired she must have been, did not disturb her.
The next morning, as she woke up and checked her phone, she saw a message from Jihan:
"Did you reach home safely?"
A soft blush spread across her face. She replied with a simple "Yes" and then joined her parents, narrating her trekking experiences in detail. She also mentioned Jihan. Her parents reacted normally, offering no particular response. Sensing their neutrality, Mahira chose not to bring him up again.
Soon, she resumed her daily routine—waking up early, going to her office, returning home by evening. It may sound ordinary, but the life of a prominent lawyer with a judge as a father is anything but simple. Each day brought new tasks, new responsibilities, and new battles to fight.
One evening, as she was leaving her office, her phone buzzed again. It was Jihan.
"Are you free?"
"Yes, I'm free now," she replied.
"Send me your location."
Not taking it too seriously, she shared it casually. Moments later, his message appeared:
"I'm not far from you. I'm coming to see you."
Her heart skipped a beat. For a second, her mind went blank. Without thinking, she rushed into the girls' washroom, adjusted her hair, and applied a touch of makeup—something she rarely did. A colleague noticed the sudden change and asked if everything was alright.
Smiling brightly, Mahira replied, "There's no problem. In fact, I'm happy."
"What's the reason?" her colleague pressed.
"My happiness is temporary for now," Mahira answered playfully. "When it becomes permanent, I'll share it with everyone."
Her colleague was left puzzled.
Soon, Mahira stepped out of the office building—and there he was. Jihan stood beside his car, waiting. She gathered her courage before walking up to him. They exchanged greetings, their voices calm yet their hearts racing.
Finally, Jihan asked, "Would you like to go for dinner?"
Mahira hesitated slightly. "It might get late. I need to inform my parents first."
She called her mother and asked for permission to have dinner with a friend. Permission granted, she smiled and agreed. Like a true gentleman, Jihan opened the car door for her. Even while taking her seat, she could not stop blushing.
They went to a beautiful restaurant, enjoyed a delightful dinner, and listened to live singing performances. Mahira insisted that Jihan sing as well. After some persuasion, he stood up and performed.
His voice filled the room—warm, powerful, and soul-stirring. The audience rose to their feet in applause. No one realized that the man performing so effortlessly before them was, in fact, the original singer of the very song they had been enjoying. His voice had the rare ability to touch hearts instantly.
After hours of laughter and endless conversations, they decided to head home. On the way, they continued talking until Mahira's phone rang.
"Your mother must be calling since it's late," Jihan assumed.
Mahira glanced at her screen and smiled. "It's not my mother. It's my brother."
Jihan hadn't known about her brother before. She answered the call.
A sweet voice echoed through the phone: "Momo!"
Jihan overheard the affectionate nickname.
Ayaan, her younger brother, asked, "Momo, our vacation has started. When are you coming to pick me up?"
"Whenever you want," she replied, her face glowing with warmth.
He told her he was bored at the hostel since his friends had already left. She promised to come in a couple of days after checking her schedule. Their conversation was filled with tenderness, laughter, and sibling affection.
Curious, Jihan asked, "Momo?"
She smiled shyly. "Ayaan and my elder brother call me that."
"It's even cuter than your real name," he said with a grin.
She told him that Ayaan was in the ninth grade and lived in a hostel. Jihan laughed softly. "My sister Aarshi is also in the ninth grade—and she lives in a hostel too."
They were amused to discover that both siblings studied at the same school, though in different branches. Smiling at the coincidence, Jihan suggested, "Next time, we should plan a trip with our siblings."
Mahira agreed.
Soon, they reached her home. Jihan dropped her off, and with that, their first dinner together—officially "just as friends"—became a cherished memory.
Both of them knew that they would remain only friends.
Or at least… that is what they believed.